SHOOTING SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21480, 2 May 1933, Page 10

SHOOTING SEASON

OPENING DAY'S SPORT POOR BAGS REPORTED SUCCESSES NEAR WHAKATANE Varying success was achieved by sportsmen in different parts of the Auckland district yesterday when the shooting season opened, according to reports received from the country. In some areas numbers of limit bags were secured, but more generally the sport was poor. Good bags were comparatively few in the vicinity of Rangiriri, where there were about 10 parties shooting, including a number of sportsmen from Auckland. The early morning was fine and clear, conditions being unfavourable for duck-shooting. Throughout the morning the birds were flying high and were difficult to shoot, while oven in the late afternoon, when rain had commenced, the ducks were still unusually wary. The average bag was about eight birds and although the sport was generally regarded as satisfactory, it was not up to the standard of that enjoyed last season. Good results were obtained by M. Edouard Joubert, Consul for France, and his party.

Fewer Guns at Mercer There wero fewer guns than usual at Mercer, where ducks were very scarce and poor bags wero obtained. Mr. W. Oliver, of Mercer, shot 15 birds. Sportsmen from tho Pukekohe district, shooting in the Waikato River swamps below Tuakau, also found birds very scarce. Sport was not up to the standard expected after a closed season in the Upotiki district, where nobody experienced a really good. day. Weather conditions wore rough and game was not particularly plentiful. A party of six sportsmen camping at Waiotahi secured 12 ducks and 20 pheasants. In contrast to tho experiences of parties elsewhere, splendid sport was enjoyed in tho Whakatane district, where 10 or 12 limit bags were secured before breakfast within a radius of a mile and a-half of Thornton. Tho bags were well divided among tho various parties. Sport was also good in other parts of the district and the prospects are bright for an excellent season. Better Sport in North Ideal weather conditions prevailed at Whangarei, where there were largo numbers of sportsmen. Reports received last evening indicated that several excellent bags of pheasants and ducks had been secured. Pheasants were plentiful, most game being abundant after the closed season last year. The bags generally were larger than those of 1931.

The season opened with unfavourable conditions on the southern shores of Lake Taupo. Large parties had assembled, but results were disappointing. The sky was overcast and dull in the morning and rain fell later in the day. Small bags were general, many guns failing to bring down a single bird. Better results are expected tomorrow, as heavy rain fell toward evening and a strong wind had risen. One or two parties secured about 30 birds each yesterday, but no limio bags were reported.